Great things are going on in St. Cloud and one man wants to make it greater.

Steven Lawrence is the city's new assistant public works director. He oversees streets, sanitation, equipment and parking. The public works department, which also includes engineering services, has a $5.2 million budget in 2014.

Lawrence is new to St. Cloud. His most recent job was as central services supervisor for the city of Brooklyn Park. And in the six weeks he's been in St. Cloud, Lawrence said he's been impressed by his new city.

"I didn't realize what a tremendous place St. Cloud is," Lawrence said. "There is a tremendous warmth. It's incredible."

While Brooklyn Park is a larger city than St. Cloud, during the day people leave the city to work elsewhere, Lawrence said. The opposite is true in St. Cloud.

During the day, St. Cloud's population more than doubles when people come to work, he said.

"That creates a new set of challenges," he said.

Lawrence is passionate about sustainability and wants to work with other departments to create energy savings. There's a lot that can be done in facilities and with equipment, he said.

In Brooklyn Park he oversaw several initiatives such as water conservation and examining each city building to make sure there weren't gaps in the doors and windows that let out air or heat.

Ninety percent of what public works does is planned. Whether it's clearing snow or filling potholes, there is a plan to what the city does, Lawrence said. He enjoys public works because every day is different.

"The challenge is to be competent every day," he joked.

Lawrence said he has enjoyed getting to know his 65-member team. On one of his first days, he met with them in the lunchroom to take questions. Employees asked direct questions about his background and about his management style.

"It was refreshing," he said. "These are my kind of folks."

After their talk, Lawrence turned around to walk out of the room and was met with clapping.

"I have to live up to that now," he said.

Every day, Lawrence is learning more about the city. Whether it's a friendly work environment or discovering the generous portion of french fries served at Val's Rapid Serv, he said he's happy in his new spot.